MyrtleBeach.com Blog RSS Feed

Annual Myrtle Beach Festivals Breakdown

By Ashlee Carson Feb 24, 2011

Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand are home to countless festivals every year. If you love a good festival, we’ve got the breakdown on the biggest and the best at the beach throughout the year.

March

Canadian-American Days Festival: 2011 welcomes the 50th Annual Canadian-American Days Festival. During March 12-20, 2011 catch some amazing free concerts by bands like the Top Hat Matching Orchestra or the Burlington Teen Tour Band. Take part in some friendly competition between Canada and the US on the links at Battle of the Beach golf tournament.

Irish Fest: Piggly Wiggly at the Market Common sponsors the annual Irish Fest in Valor Park. Traditional Irish Beers like Harp, Belhaven Scottish Ale and Guinness will be served up all day on March 12, 2011. Stay at the park to enjoy live Irish entertainment and fun for the kiddies.

Ocean Boulevard’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: St. Patrick’s Day starts off right on Ocean Boulevard on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Sister Hazel, Days of the New, The Delta Saints and other live bands will perform all day and night. Kids have their own spot to play in the Kidz Zone area. Adults can enjoy authentic Irish goodies and beers.

Run to the Sun: For over 20 years, Run to the Sun has been Myrtle Beach’s premiere car show. Three days full of cruising along Ocean Boulevard, Car Shows and races bring in car enthusiasts from all over. This year’s event marks the 23rd anniversary and will be held March 17-19, 2011.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade North Myrtle Beach: The 23rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Main Street in North Myrtle Beach comes to life during this annual festival. The coldest Irish brews and famous Irish food will be served up all day long. Bag pipers, Irish folk songs and dance teams perform their numbers on stage on the street.

April

Art in the Park: For nearly 40 years, Art in the Park at Chapin Park has been a unique way to discover local artists of the Grand Strand. Vendors from all over the coast come for the six shows to offer the latest in arts and crafts. This year, two shows will take place in Valor Park at The Market Common. Show dates are April 16-17, June 18-19, October 8-9 and November 5-6 at Chapin Park and April 23-24 and November 12-13 at Valor Park.

Shaggers on the Strand (SOS) Migration: The Shag is the state dance of South Carolina and welcomes festivals and events at various times in the year. Shagging competitions at local clubs are quite fierce and most of all, fun to watch. The Society of Stranders (SOS) promotes a theme of “Good Friends, Good Times and Great Memories.” The Spring Safari will be held April 8-17 while the Fall Migration is September 16-25.

May

Atlantic Beach Bike Week: Atlantic Beach Bike Week, also known as Black Bike Week, is an annual motorcycle rally on the Grand Strand. Memorial Day weekend is when the fun takes place. Get ready to see custom motorcycles and cars and loads of events and entertainment.

Blue Crab Festival: Hit the road and head up north to Little River for the 30th Annual Blue Crab Festival. On May 14 and 15 get ready for the freshest seafood, family fun and live music from some of the Grand Strand’s most talented acts.

Coastal Uncorked Food & Wine Festival: After a huge amount of success during its inaugural year, Coastal Uncorked Food and Wine Festival is back and bigger than ever. Southern cooking extraordinaire, Paula Deen, will be in town for a cooking demonstration and book signing. The weeklong festival will take place from May 8-15 and the popular Tasting Trolley will wheel around town on May 13-14.

MayFest: Presented by Family Circle, the 2011 MayFest will feature stars like Chubby Checker, Toby Mac and the coolest kids from Disney and Nickelodeon. John McCain will serve as Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade. Free concert series and entertainment are on the list for MayFest in Myrtle Beach that starts April 30th with more celebrations through Memorial Day weekend.

Myrtle Beach Bike Week: Myrtle Beach Bike Week has a spring rally and a fall rally on the Grand Strand each year. This year the spring rally will be from May13-22, 2011. Gather with friends and ride over to the best biker bars in the area to check out the hottest Harleys and custom motorcycles. Biker events and entertainment are scattered throughout the area and promise a good time to all.

Rivertown Music & Arts Festival: Just west of the beach is the historic town of Conway, South Carolina, host of the Rivertown Music and Arts Festival. Local and regional bands provide the sounds of jazz, gospel, steel drums and more! Local artists display their pottery, wood, glass and paintings. Gourmet foods and local cuisine will be served at the festival set to be held on May 7, 2011.

June

Sun Fun Festival: The Sun Fun Festival is perhaps one of Myrtle Beach’s most famous festivals. The festival events were previously held along Ocean Boulevard in downtown Myrtle Beach and have now relocated to the Market Common. The Sun Fun Festival is a weekend celebration of summer with live entertainment, hundreds of vendors and endless fun! This year’s festival is May 28-June 4, 2011.

July

Mustang Week: If you own a Mustang, or even if you just love the cars, Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach offers the most unique collection of these famous cars. Burnout contests, races and car shows are just a few of the events in town. Meet up with other Mustang fans during Mustang Week July 18-24, 2011.

September

Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival: 2011 will mark the 36th anniversary for the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival in Huntington Beach State Park. Upwards of 100 artists line the park with their unique treasures. You can find anything from glass pieces to baskets. The festival will be held on September 23-25, 2011.

Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival: The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Beach, Boogie and BBQ Festival at the beach. Live bands, vendors with arts and crafts and unique entertainment make for a weekend of fun. Get your fill of the award-winning barbeque served up all day. This year’s festival will take place on September 2-4, 2011.

Irish Italian Festival: Live music and the best of Irish and Italian fare and spirits set North Myrtle Beach afire each September. This year the festival will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 and features some of the best live acts like singers, dance teams, bagpipes and accordion players.

St. John’s Greek Festival: St. John’s Greek Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2011. This famous festival is one not to miss. Enjoy the finest Greek pastries, cookies and baked goods or sip on some delicious Greek wines. Feast on homemade delicacies like Mousaka, Spanikopita and Gyros. Your stomach will thank you after leaving this fun (and cultural) event!

October

Little River Shrimp and Jazz Festival: The Little River Shrimp and Jazz Festival offers precisely what its name suggests. Tasty shrimp creations are available at this annual festival held on Columbus Day weekend. The sounds of jazz music fill the air and create an atmosphere of fun and liveliness along the water in Little River.

Loris Bog-Off: If you haven’t visited Myrtle Beach in the fall, then it’s possible you don’t know about the Loris Bog-Off. This festival is such a favorite of many locals that it’s no wonder they’ll mark their 33rd year in town in 2011! Chicken Bog is a South Carolina specialty dish with rice, sausage, spices and chicken. You’ll taste the best bog in town year after year at this tasty festival.

Ocean Boulevard’s Oktoberfest: If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate your German roots, Ocean Boulevard’s Oktoberfest is the perfect spot to do it. Authentic German cuisine is served up alongside free concerts all day. You’ll definitely want to stay for the bratwurst eating contest! 2011 dates have not been announced.

Oktoberfest at Valor Park: October is the time to celebrate all things German. Oktoberfest at Valor Park in the Market Common gives you the tools you need to do just that. German food, German beer, German music and more will keep you in the spirit all day long. Join the folks at the Market Common on October 1-3 for this year’s Oktoberfest.

Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art: The Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art has been a favorite local tradition for years, as well as a strong non-profit organization on the Grand Strand. Exclusive concerts and symphonies, a wine gala and theater performances are just a few of the arts you’ll experience. 2011 events run from September 20-October 2, 2011.

Did we miss something? E-mail us at events@myrtlebeach.com. Check out our events page for the most up-to-date happenings on and around the beach!

Vacationing in Myrtle Beach? Here are some popular searches:
Myrtle Beach Hotels | Myrtle Beach Condos | North Myrtle Beach Hotels | Myrtle Beach Deals